The New Zealanders shattered the previous world mark of 3 min 31.53sec set by Fairweather and compatriot Phillipa Gray by eight seconds as they powered to victory in 3:23.23 in the women's three kilometre pursuit final at the Bicentenary Velodrome in Aguascalientes.

Gray and Kylie Young made it a one-two finish for New Zealand as they took silver ahead of Japan's Yurie Kanuma and Mai Tanaka.

Australians Matt Formston and Michael Curran took the gold medal in the men's 4km pursuit as they finished just over three seconds clear of Spain's Ignacio Avila Rodriguez and Joan Font Bertoli in a time of 4:13.10.

The American pair of Clark Rachfal and David Swanson overcame Ireland's James Brown and Bryan McCrystal to claim bronze.

Five women's sprint titles were also decided on day one in Aguascalientes.

There was another gold for Australia as Jayme Richardson took the C1 500m title in a time of 45.45, while Dutchwoman Alyda Norbruis finished ahead of American Allison Jones and China's Zeng Sini in the C2 500m event.

Zeng's compatriot Jianping Ruan blazed her way to the C4 500m crown in a world record time of 37.87 with silver and bronze going to New Zealand's Katherine Horan and Susan Powell of Australia.

Jianping Ruan claimed a world title and world record in the women's C4 500m sprint event ©Getty Images



Another world record fell in the C3 500m as Jamie Whitmore registered a time of 42.95 on her way to claiming her first world title on the track ahead of Germany's Denise Schindler and Australian Simone Kennedy.

"It feels great anytime you can walk away with the win," said Whitmore, who claimed two world titles on the road in Baie-Comeau, Canada last year.

"The thing for me today was that I was just racing scared.

"I had no idea what to expect, this was only my third race, so it was just about going out hard and telling myself to keep going faster."

China secured its second world title and world record of the day as Jufanj Zhou raced to victory in a time of 36.37, followed by American Jennifer Schuble and reigning champion Dame Sarah Storey of Great Britain in the C5 500m time-trial.

Dame Sarah was making her return to international competition following the birth of her daughter last year and the 11-time Paralympic gold medallist said she was "really chuffed" with her performance.

"I've had a lot less training over the winter than I usually would have," she added.

"It's brilliant to be back and back on the podium."

The Championships continue through until Sunday (April 13) and tomorrow sees men's and women's 1km time-trial titles up for grabs along with the men's C1 to C5 pursuit events.

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